Viral polymerase inhibitors

ABSTRACT

An isomer, enantiomer, diastereoisomer or tautomer of a compound, represented by formula I: 
     wherein A, B, R 2 , R 3 , M 1 , M 2 , M 3 , M 4 , Y 1  and Z are as defined in claim 1, or a salt thereof, as an inhibitor of HCV NS5B polymerase

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/441,674, filed on Jan. 22, 2003, is hereby claimed and said application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to inhibitors of RNA dependent RNA polymerases, particularly those viral polymerases within the Flaviviridae family, more particularly to HCV polymerase.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

About 30,000 new cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are estimated to occur in the United States each year (Kolykhalov, A. A.; Mihalik, K.; Feinstone, S. M.; Rice, C. M.; 2000; J. Virol. 74: 2046–2051). HCV is not easily cleared by the hosts' immunological defences; as many as 85% of the people infected with HCV become chronically infected. Many of these persistent infections result in chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and heptocellular carcinoma (Hoofnagle, J. H.; 1997; Hepatology 26: 15S–20S*). There are an estimated 170 million HCV carriers worldwide, and HCV-associated end-stage liver disease is now the leading cause of liver transplantation. In the United States alone, hepatitis C is responsible for 8,000 to 10,000 deaths annually. Without effective intervention, the number is expected to triple in the next 10 to 20 years. There is no vaccine to prevent HCV infection. Prolonged treatment of chronically infected patients with interferon or interferon and ribavirin is the only currently approved therapy, but it achieves a sustained response in fewer than 50% of cases (Lindsay, K. L.; 1997; Hepatology 26: 71S–77S*, and Reichard, O.; Schvarcz, R.; Weiland, O.; 1997 Hepatology 26: 108S–111S*).

HCV belongs to the family Flaviviridae, genus hepacivirus, which comprises three genera of small enveloped positive-strand RNA viruses (Rice, C. M.; 1996; “Flaviviridae: the viruses and their replication”; pp. 931–960 in Fields Virology; Fields, B. N.; Knipe, D. M.; Howley, P. M. (eds.); Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Philadelphia, Pa.*). The 9.6 kb genome of HCV consists of a long open reading frame (ORF) flanked by 5′ and 3′ non-translated regions (NTR's). The HCV 5′ NTR is 341 nucleotides in length and functions as an internal ribosome entry site for cap-independent translation initiation (Lemon, S. H.; Honda, M.; 1997; Semin. Virol. 8: 274–288). The HCV polyprotein is cleaved co- and post-translationally into at least 10 individual polypeptides (Reed, K. E.; Rice, C. M.; 1999; Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immunol. 242: 55–84*). The structural proteins result from signal peptidases in the N-terminal portion of the polyprotein. Two viral proteases mediate downstream cleavages to produce non-structural (NS) proteins that function as components of the HCV RNA replicase. The NS2–3 protease spans the C-terminal half of the NS2 and the N-terminal one-third of NS3 and catalyses cis cleavage of the NS2/3 site. The same portion of NS3 also encodes the catalytic domain of the NS3–4A serine protease that cleaves at four downstream sites. The C-terminal two-thirds of NS3 is highly conserved amongst HCV isolates, with RNA-binding, RNA-stimulated NTPase, and RNA unwinding activities. Although NS4B and the NS5A phosphoprotein are also likely components of the replicase, their specific roles are unknown. The C-terminal polyprotein cleavage product, NS5B, is the elongation subunit of the HCV replicase possessing RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity (Behrens, S. E.; Tomei, L.; DeFrancesco, R.; 1996; EMBO J. 15: 12–22*; and Lohmann, V.; Körner, F.; Herian, U.; Bartenschlager, R.; 1997; J. Virol. 71: 8416–8428*). It has been recently demonstrated that mutations destroying NS5B activity abolish infectivity of RNA in a chimp model (Kolykhalov, A. A.; Mihalik, K.; Feinstone, S. M.; Rice, C. M.; 2000; J. Virol. 74: 2046–2051*).

The development of new and specific anti-HCV treatments is a high priority, and virus-specific functions essential for replication are the most attractive targets for drug development. The absence of RNA dependent RNA polymerases in mammals, and the fact that this enzyme appears to be essential to viral replication, would suggest that the NS5B polymerase is an ideal target for anti-HCV therapeutics. WO 00/06529, WO 00/13708, WO 00/10573, WO 00/18231, WO 01/47883, WO 01/85172, WO 02/04425, WO 03/010140 and WO 03/010141 report inhibitors of NS5B proposed for treatment of HCV.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel series of compounds having inhibitory activity against HCV polymerase.

Further objects of this invention arise for the one skilled in the art from the following description and the examples.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an isomer, enantiomer, diastereoisomer or tautomer of a compound, represented by formula I:

wherein

-   -   - - - represents either a single or a double bond;     -   B is —N— and A is ═CR¹— or ═N—; or     -   B is ═C— and A is O, S or NR¹;     -   R¹ is selected from the group consisting of: H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl         optionally substituted with:         -   halogen, OR¹¹, SR¹¹ or N(R¹²)₂, wherein R¹¹ and each R¹² is             independently H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,             (C₁₋₆)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₆)alkyl-aryl or             (C₁₋₆)alkyl-Het, said aryl or Het optionally substituted             with R¹⁶⁰; or         -   both R¹² are covalently bonded together and to the nitrogen             to which they are both attached to form a 5, 6 or 7-membered             saturated heterocycle;     -   the group —C(═Y¹)—Z is covalently linked to either M² or M³,     -   M¹ is CR^(4a),     -   M² or M³, when not linked to —C(═Y¹)—Z, is CR⁵,     -   M⁴ is CR^(4b),     -   and in addition one or two of the groups selected from M¹, M²,         M³ and M⁴ may also be N, with the proviso that the group M² or         M³ to which —C(═Y¹)—Z is linked is a C-atom,     -   Y¹ is O or S;     -   Z is defined as NR^(N2)—SO₂—R^(C) or         NR^(N3)—SO₂—N(R^(N2))R^(N1), wherein R^(C), R^(N1) or any         heterocycle formed by R^(N1) and R^(N2) is optionally         substituted with R⁶⁰;     -   R² is selected from: halogen or R²¹, wherein R²¹ is aryl or Het,         said R²¹ is optionally substituted with R¹⁵⁰;     -   R³ is selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,         (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₅₋₇)cycloalkenyl,         (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₅₋₇)cycloalkenyl, (C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkyl,         (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkyl, (C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkenyl,         (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkenyl, HCy or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-HCy,         -   wherein HCy is a saturated or unsaturated 4 to 7-membered             heterocyclic group with 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from O,             S and N;         -   said alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, bicycloalkyl,             bicycloalkenyl, HCy and alkyl-HCy being optionally             substituted with from 1 to 4 substituents selected from:             -   a) halogen;             -   b) (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally substituted with:                 -   1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen;                 -   OR³¹ or SR³¹ wherein R³¹ is H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl,                     (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; or                 -   N(R³²)₂ wherein each R³² is independently H,                     (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or                     (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; or both R³² are                     covalently bonded together and to the nitrogen to                     which they are attached to form a 5, 6 or 7-membered                     saturated heterocycle;             -   c) OR³³ or SR³³ wherein R³³ is H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl,                 (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl;             -   d) N(R³⁵)₂ wherein each R³⁵ is independently H,                 (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or                 (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; or both R³⁵ are covalently                 bonded together and to the nitrogen to which they are                 attached to form a 5, 6 or 7-membered saturated                 heterocycle;     -   R^(4a), R^(4b), R⁵ each are independently H or defined as R¹⁵⁰;     -   R⁶⁰ is defined as 1 to 4 substituents independently selected         from:         -   1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen;         -   one of each substituent selected from: OPO₃H, NO₂, cyano,             azido, C(═NH)NH₂, C(═NH)NH(C₁₋₆)alkyl or             C(═NH)NHCO(C₁₋₆)alkyl, SO₃H; and         -   1 to 3 substituents selected from:             -   a) (C₁₋₆) alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇)                 spirocycloalkyl optionally containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms                 selected from N, O and S; (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, (C₂₋₈)alkynyl,                 (C₁₋₆)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, all of which optionally                 being substituted with R¹⁵⁰;             -   b) OR^(O);             -   c) OC(O)R^(O);             -   d) SR^(O), SO₂R^(C), SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1),                 SO₂N(R^(N2))C(O)R^(C), CONR^(N3)SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1), or                 CONR^(N2)SO₂R^(C);             -   e) N(R^(N2))R^(N1), N(R^(N2))COOR^(C), N(R^(N2))SO₂R^(C)                 or N(R^(N1))OR^(O);             -   f) N(R^(N2))COR^(C);             -   g) N(R^(N3))CON(R^(N2))R^(N1);             -   h) N(R^(N3))COCOR^(C), N(R^(N3))COCOOR^(O),                 N(R^(N3))COCON(R^(N2))OR^(O), or                 N(R^(N3))COCON(R^(N2))R^(N1);             -   i) COR^(O);             -   j) COOR^(O);             -   k) CON(R^(N2))R^(N1);             -   l) aryl, Het, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-aryl or (C₁₋₄)alkyl-Het, all                 of which optionally being substituted with R¹⁵⁰;             -   wherein said R^(N1), R^(C) and/or R^(O) are optionally                 substituted with R¹⁵⁰ as defined,     -   R¹⁵⁰ is defined as 1 to 4 substituents independently selected         from:         -   1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen;         -   one of each substituent selected from: OPO₃H, NO₂, cyano,             azido, SO₃H C(═NH)NH₂, C(═NH)NH(C₁₋₆)alkyl or             C(═NH)NHCO(C₁₋₆)alkyl; and         -   1 to 3 substituents selected from:             -   a) (C₁₋₆) alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇)spirocycloalkyl                 optionally containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from                 N, O and S; (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, (C₂₋₈)alkynyl, (C₁₋₃)                 alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, all of which optionally                 substituted with R¹⁶⁰;             -   b) OR^(O);             -   c) OC(O)R^(O);             -   d) SR^(O), SO₂R^(C), SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1) or                 SO₂N(R^(N2))C(O)R^(C);             -   e) N(R^(N2))R^(N1), N(R^(N2))COOR^(C), N(R^(N2))SO₂R^(C)                 or N(R^(N1))OR^(O);             -   f) N(R^(N2))COR^(C);             -   g) N(R^(N3))CON(R^(N2))R^(N1);             -   h) N(R^(N3))COCOR^(C), N(R^(N3))COCOOR^(O),                 N(R^(N3))COCON(R^(N2))OH,                 N(R^(N3))COCON(R^(N2))O(C₁₋₄)alkyl or                 N(R^(N3))COCON(R^(N2))R^(N1);             -   i) COR^(O);             -   j) COOR^(O);             -   k) tetrazole, triazole, CONR^(N2)SO₂R^(C),                 CONR^(N3)—SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1) or CON(R^(N2))R^(N1);             -   wherein said R^(N1), R^(C) and/or R^(O) are optionally                 substituted with R¹⁶⁰ as defined;     -   R¹⁶⁰ is defined as 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected         from:         -   1, 2 or 3 fluorine substituents; and         -   one of each substituent selected from tetrazole, triazole,             chlorine, bromine, iodine, CN, nitro, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, OCF₃,             SCF₃, CF₃, COOR¹⁶¹, SO₃H, SR¹⁶¹, SO₂R¹⁶³, OR¹⁶¹, N(R¹⁶²)₂,             SO₂N(R¹⁶²)₂, SO₂NR¹⁶²COR¹⁶², NR¹⁶²SO₂R¹⁶³,             —NR¹⁶¹—CO—COOR¹⁶¹, —NR¹⁶¹—CO—CO(NR¹⁶²)₂, —CONR¹⁶¹SO₂R^(C),             CONR¹⁶¹—SO₂N(R¹⁶²)₂ or —SO₂—NR¹⁶¹—COR^(C), NR¹⁶²COR¹⁶² or             CON(R¹⁶²)₂, wherein R¹⁶¹, R¹⁶³ and each R¹⁶² is             independently (C₁₋₄)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or             (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; and R¹⁶¹ and each R¹⁶² may             each independently also be H; or both R¹⁶² are covalently             bonded together and to the nitrogen to which they are             attached to form a 5, 6 or 7-membered saturated heterocycle;     -   R^(O), R^(C) are independently defined as (C₁₋₆)alkyl,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl,         aryl, Het, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-aryl, or (C₁₋₄)alkyl-Het; or R^(O) is         also optionally defined as H,     -   R^(N1) is H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,         (C₁₋₄)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, aryl, Het,         (C₁₋₄)alkyl-aryl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-Het; and     -   R^(N2), R^(N3), R^(N4) are independently H, CH₃, (C₂₋₆)alkyl,         (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl; all of which         being optionally substituted with halogen, carboxy or         (C₁₋₆)alkoxycarbonyl; and/or wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl or         alkylcycloalkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy,         (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₁₋₆)alkoxy, amino, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl and/or         —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂; or     -    in the case         -   a) of a group N(R^(N2))R^(N1) the substituents R^(N2) and             R^(N1); or         -   b) of a group NR^(N3)—N(R^(N2))R^(N1) the substituents             R^(N3) and R^(N1), or R^(N2) and R^(N1);     -    may be covalently bonded together to form a 4-, 5-, 6- or         7-membered saturated or unsaturated N-containing heterocycle or         a 8-, 9-, 10- or 11-membered N-containing heterobicycle, each         optionally having additionally from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected         from O, N, and S, wherein said heterocycle or heterobicycle is         optionally substituted as defined;     -   wherein Het is defined as a 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocycle         having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S, or a 8-, 9-,         10- or 11-membered heterobicycle having 1 to 5 heteroatoms         selected from O, N and S;         or a salt thereof.

Included within the scope of this invention are compounds of the formula (I) as described hereinbefore, to which a “detectable label”, “affinity tag” or “photoreactive group” is linked.

The compounds according to this invention generally show an inhibitory activity against HCV polymerase. In particular compounds according to this invention inhibit RNA synthesis by the RNA dependent RNA polymerase of HCV, especially of the enzyme NS5B encoded by HCV. Furthermore, compounds being active in cell culture are provided. A further advantage of compounds provided by this invention is their low to very low or even non-significant activity against other polymerases.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a use of a compound of formula I according to this invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as an HCV polymerase inhibitor.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a use of a compound of the formula I according to this invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as an inhibitor of RNA dependent RNA polymerase activity of the enzyme NS5B, encoded by HCV.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a use of a compound of the formula I according to this invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as an inhibitor of HCV replication.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of treating or preventing HCV infection in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a compound of formula I according to this invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of treating or preventing HCV infection in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in combination with another antiviral agent.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prevention of HCV infection, comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula I according to this invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

According to a further specific embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of this invention comprises a therapeutically effective amount of one or more antiviral agents. Examples of antiviral agents include, ribavirin and amantadine.

According to a further specific embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of this invention comprises an other anti-HCV agent as an antiviral agent.

According to a more specific embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of this invention comprises an additional immunomodulatory agent as an other anti-HCV agent. Examples of additional immunomodulatory agents include but are not limited to, α-, β-, δ- γ-, tau- and ω-interferons.

According to another more specific embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of this invention comprises another inhibitor of HCV polymerase as an other anti-HCV agent.

According to another more specific embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of this invention comprises an inhibitor of HCV NS3 protease as an other anti-HCV agent.

According to yet another more specific embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of this invention comprises an inhibitor of another target in the HCV life cycle as an other anti-HCV agent. Examples of such other targets are HCV helicase, HCV NS2/3 protease or HCV IRES.

In an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a use of a compound of formula I according to this invention, or of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or the prevention of a Flaviviridae viral infection, preferably an HCV infection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

The following definitions apply unless otherwise noted:

As used herein, the term (C_(1-n)) alkyl or C_(1-n)alkyl, wherein n is an integer, either alone or in combination with another radical, are intended to mean acyclic straight or branched chain alkyl radicals containing 1 to n carbon atoms respectively. Examples of such radicals include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl (i-propyl), n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl (tert.-butyl), n-pentyl, etc. In the following the term Me denotes a methyl group.

If an alkyl group is substituted by halogen, it is preferably mono-, di- or trisubstituted with fluorine or monosubstituted by chlorine or bromine. Preferred alkyl-groups which are trisubstituted with fluorine have a terminal CF₃ group.

As used herein, the term (C_(2-n)) alkenyl, wherein n is an integer, either alone or in combination with another radical, is intended to mean an unsaturated, acyclic straight chain radical containing two to n carbon atoms, at least two of which are bonded to each other by a double bond. Examples of such radicals are ethenyl (vinyl), 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 1-butenyl, etc.

As used herein, the term (C_(2-n)) alkynyl, wherein n is an integer, either alone or in combination with another group, is intended to mean an unsaturated, acyclic straight chain alkynyl radical containing 2 to n carbon atoms, at least two of which are bonded to each other by a triple bond. Examples of such radicals are ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, etc.

As used herein, the term (C_(3-n))cycloalkyl, wherein n is an integer, either alone or in combination with another radical, means a cycloalkyl radical containing from three to n carbon atoms and includes cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl.

As used herein, the term (C_(5-n))cycloalkenyl, wherein n is an integer, either alone or in combination with another radical, means an unsaturated cyclic radical containing five to n carbon atoms. Examples are cyclopentenyl and cyclohexenyl.

As used herein the term (C_(1-n))alkyl-(C_(3-m))cycloalkyl, wherein n and m are integers, either alone or in combination with another radical, means a branched or straight chain alkyl radical having 1 to n C-atoms to which a cycloalkyl radical containing from three to m C-atoms is covalently bonded. Preferably the alkyl radical is a straight chain and the cycloalkyl radical is linked to its terminal C-atom. Examples of (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl include cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 2-cyclopropylethyl, 2-cyclobutylethyl, 2-cyclopentylethyl, 2-cyclohexylethyl, 3-cyclopropylpropyl, 3-cyclobutylpropyl, 3-cyclopentylpropyl, 3-cyclohexylpropyl, etc.

As used herein, the terms alkyl-aryl, alkyl-HCy, alkyl-Hetaryl, alkyl-Het, etc. mean an alkyl radical to which an aryl, HCy, Hetaryl, Het group is bonded, respectively. Examples of (C₁₋₃)alkyl-aryl are benzyl (phenylmethyl), phenylethyl and phenylpropyl.

As used herein, the term “carboxy protecting group” (CPG) defines protecting groups that can be used during synthetic transformation and are listed in Greene, “Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry”, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1981) and “The Peptides: Analysis, Synthesis, Biology”, Vol. 3, Academic Press, New York (1981), the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

A carboxyl group is usually protected as an ester that can be cleaved to give the carboxylic acid. Protecting groups that can be used include: 1) alkyl esters such as methyl, trimethylsilylethyl and t-butyl, 2) aralkyl esters such as benzyl and substituted benzyl, or 3) esters that can be cleaved by mild base treatment or mild reductive means such as trichloroethyl and phenacyl esters.

As used herein, the term “aryl” either alone or in combination with another radical means a 6- or 10-membered aryl, i.e. an aromatic radical containing six or ten carbon atoms, for example phenyl, 1-naphthyl or 2-naphthyl. The most preferred meaning of aryl is phenyl.

As used herein the term heteroatom means O, S or N.

As used herein, the term “heterocycle”, either alone or in combination with another radical, means a monovalent radical derived by removal of a hydrogen from a five-, six-, or seven-membered saturated or unsaturated (including aromatic) heterocycle containing from one to four heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Examples of such heterocycles include, but are not limited to, azetidine, pyrrolidine, tetrahydrofuran, thiazolidine, pyrrole, thiophene, hydantoin, diazepine, 1-H-imidazole, isoxazole, thiazole, tetrazole, piperidine, piperazine, homopiperidine, homopiperazine, 1,4-dioxane, 4-morpholine, 4-thiomorpholine, pyridine, pyridine-N-oxide or pyrimidine, or the following heterocycles:

As used herein, the term “9- or 10-membered heterobicycle” or “heterobicycle” either alone or in combination with another radical, means a heterocycle as defined above fused to one or more other cycle, be it a heterocycle or any other cycle. Examples of such heterobicycles include, but are not limited to, indole, benzimidazole, thiazolo[4,5-b]-pyridine, quinoline, or coumarin, or the following:

As used herein, the term “Het” defines a 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocycle having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S, which may be saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, or a 8-, 9-, 10- or 11-membered heterobicycle having 1 to 5 heteroatoms wherever possible, selected from O, N and S, which may be saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, unless specified otherwise.

As used herein, the term “HCy” defines a saturated or unsaturated 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered monocyclic heterocycle having 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S, unless specified otherwise.

As used herein, the term “Hetaryl” defines an aromatic 5- or 6-membered monocyclic heterocycle having 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S, or a 9- or 10-membered aromatic heterobicycle having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from O, N, and S, unless specified otherwise.

As used herein, the term “halo” means a halogen atom and includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

As used herein, the term “OH” refers to a hydroxyl group. It is well known to one skilled in the art that hydroxyl groups may be substituted by functional group equivalents. Examples of such functional group equivalents that are contemplated by this invention include, but are not limited to, ethers, sulfhydryls, and primary, secondary or tertiary amines.

As used herein, the term “SH” refers to a sulfhydryl group. It is intended within the scope of the present invention that, whenever a “SH” or “SR” group is present, it can also be substituted by any other appropriate oxidation state such as SOR, SO₂R, or SO₃R.

It is intended that the term “substituted” when applied in conjunction with a radical having more than one moiety such as C₁₋₆alkyl-aryl, or C₁₋₆alkyl-Het, such substitution applies to both moieties i.e. both the alkyl and aryl or Het moieties can be substituted with the defined substituents.

As used herein, the term “COOH” refers to a carboxylic acid group. It is well known to one skilled in the art that carboxylic acid groups may be substituted by functional group equivalents. Examples of such functional group equivalents that are contemplated by this invention include, but are not limited to, esters, amides, imides, boronic acids, tetrazole, triazoles, N-acylsulfonyldiamides (RCONHSO₂NR₂), and acylsulfonamides (RCONHSO₂R).

As used herein, the term “functional group equivalent” is intended to mean an element or a substituted derivative thereof, that is replaceable by another element that has similar electronic, hybridization or bonding properties.

As used herein, the term “metal catalyst” is intended to mean a metal such as palladium (0) or palladium (2) for use in a cross-coupling reaction. Examples of such palladium catalysts include, but are not limited to, Pd(PPh₃)₄, Pd/C, Pd(OAc)₂, PdCl₂, and the like. Alternative metals that can catalyze cross-coupling reactions include, but are not limited to complexes of Ni, Rh, Ru and Ir, like for example: Ni(acac)₂, Ni(OAc)₂, or NiCl₂.

The term “detectable label” refers to any group that may be linked to the polymerase or to a compound of the present invention such that when the compound is associated with the polymerase target, such label allows recognition either directly or indirectly of the compound such that it can be detected, measured and quantified.

Examples of such “labels” are intended to include, but are not limited to, fluorescent labels, chemiluminescent labels, colorimetric labels, enzymatic markers, radioactive isotopes and affinity tags such as biotin. Such labels are attached to the compound or to the polymerase by well known methods.

The term “affinity tag” means a ligand (that is linked to the polymerase or to a compound of the present invention) whose strong affinity for a receptor can be used to extract from a solution the entity to which the ligand is attached. Examples of such ligands include biotin or a derivative thereof, a histidine polypeptide, a polyarginine, an amylose sugar moiety or a defined epitope recognizable by a specific antibody. Such affinity tags are attached to the compound or to the polymerase by well-known methods.

The term “photoreactive group” means a group that is transformed, upon activation by light, from an inert group to a reactive species, such as a free radical. Examples of such groups include, but are not limited to, benzophenones, azides, and the like.

The term “salt thereof” means any acid and/or base addition salt of a compound according to the invention; preferably a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means a salt of a compound of formula (I) which is, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response, and the like, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio, generally water or oil-soluble or dispersible, and effective for their intended use. The term includes pharmaceutically-acceptable acid addition salts and pharmaceutically-acceptable base addition salts. Lists of suitable salts are found in, e.g., S. M. Birge et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 1977, 66, pp. 1–19, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The term “pharmaceutically-acceptable acid addition salt” means those salts which retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the free bases and which are not biologically or otherwise undesirable, formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, sulfamic acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like, and organic acids such as acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, adipic acid, ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid, butyric acid, camphoric acid, camphorsulfonic acid, cinnamic acid, citric acid, digluconic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, glutamic acid, glycolic acid, glycerophosphoric acid, hemisulfic acid, hexanoic acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid (isethionic acid), lactic acid, hydroxymaleic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, mandelic acid, mesitylenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid, nicotinic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, oxalic acid, pamoic acid, pectinic acid, phenylacetic acid, 3-phenylpropionic acid, pivalic acid, propionic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid, sulfanilic acid, tartaric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, undecanoic acid, and the like.

The term “pharmaceutically-acceptable base addition salt” means those salts which retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the free acids and which are not biologically or otherwise undesirable, formed with inorganic bases such as ammonia or hydroxide, carbonate, or bicarbonate of ammonium or a metal cation such as sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, aluminum, and the like. Particularly preferred are the ammonium, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium salts. Salts derived from pharmaceutically-acceptable organic nontoxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, quaternary amine compounds, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines and basic ion-exchange resins, such as methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, isopropylamine, tripropylamine, tributylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, 2-diethylaminoethanol, dicyclohexylamine, lysine, arginine, histidine, caffeine, hydrabamine, choline, betaine, ethylenediamine, glucosamine, methylglucamine, theobromine, purines, piperazine, piperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, tetramethylammonium compounds, tetraethylammonium compounds, pyridine, N,N-dimethylaniline, N-methylpiperidine, N-methylmorpholine, dicyclohexylamine, dibenzylamine, N,N-dibenzylphenethylamine, 1-ephenamine, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, polyamine resins, and the like. Particularly preferred organic nontoxic bases are isopropylamine, diethylamine, ethanolamine, trimethylamine, dicyclohexylamine, choline, and caffeine.

The term “antiviral agent” as used herein means an agent (compound or biological) that is effective to inhibit the formation and/or replication of a virus in a mammal. This includes agents that interfere with either host or viral mechanisms necessary for the formation and/or replication of a virus in a mammal. Antiviral agents include, for example, ribavirin, amantadine, VX-497 (merimepodib, Vertex Pharmaceuticals), VX-498 (Vertex Pharmaceuticals), Levovirin, Viramidine, Ceplene (maxamine), XTL-001 and XTL-002 (XTL Biopharmaceuticals).

The term “other anti-HCV agent” as used herein means those agents that are effective for diminishing or preventing the progression of hepatitis C related symptoms of disease. Such agents can be selected from: immunomodulatory agents, inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease, other inhibitors of HCV polymerase or inhibitors of another target in the HCV life cycle.

The term “immunomodulatory agent” as used herein means those agents (compounds or biologicals) that are effective to enhance or potentiate the immune system response in a mammal. Immunomodulatory agents include, for example, class I interferons (such as α-, β-, δ- and omega interferons, tau-interferons, consensus interferons and asialo-interferons), class II interferons (such as γ-interferons) and pegylated interferons.

The term “inhibitor of HCV NS3 protease” as used herein means an agent (compound or biological) that is effective to inhibit the function of HCV NS3 protease in a mammal. Inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease include, for example, those compounds described in WO 99/07733, WO 99/07734, WO 00/09558, WO 00/09543, WO 00/59929 or WO 02/060926, the Boehringer Ingelheim clinical candidate identified as BILN 2061 and the Vertex pre-development candidate identified as VX-950. Particularly, compounds #2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 18, 19, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37, 38, 55, 59, 71, 91, 103, 104, 105, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 120, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126 and 127 disclosed in the table of pages 224–226 in WO 02/060926, can be used in combination with the compounds of the present invention.

The term “other inhibitor of HCV polymerase” as used herein means an agent (compound or biological) that is effective to inhibit the function of HCV polymerase in a mammal, whereby this agent has a structure different from the compounds according to this invention and preferably binds to a site of the HCV polymerase different from the site targeted by the compounds according to this invention. Other inhibitors of HCV polymerase include non-nucleosides, for example, those compounds described in: WO 03/040112 (Rigel), WO 02/100846 A1 (Shire), WO 02/100851 A2 (Shire), WO 01/85172 A1 (GSK), WO 02/098424 A1 (GSK), WO 00/06529 (Merck), WO 02/06246 A1 (Merck), EP 1 256 628 A2 (Agouron). Furthermore other inhibitors of HCV polymerase also include nucleoside analogs, for example, those compounds described in: WO 01/90121 A2 (Idenix), WO 02/069903 A2 (Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc.), WO 02/057287 A2 (Merck/Isis) and WO 02/057425 A2 (Merck/Isis).

The term “inhibitor of another target in the HCV life cycle” as used herein means an agent (compound or biological) that is effective to inhibit the formation and/or replication of HCV in a mammal other than by inhibiting the RNA dependent RNA polymerase of HCV. This includes agents that interfere with either host or HCV viral mechanisms necessary for the formation and/or replication of HCV in a mammal. Inhibitors of another target in the HCV life cycle include, for example, agents that inhibit a target selected from a HCV helicase, HCV NS2/3 protease and HCV IRES. Specific examples of inhibitors of another target in the HCV life cycle include ISIS-14803 (ISIS Pharmaceuticals).

The term “HIV inhibitor” as used herein means an agents (compound or biological) that is effective to inhibit the formation and/or replication of HIV in a mammal. This includes agents that interfere with either host or viral mechanisms necessary for the formation and/or replication of HIV in a mammal. HIV inhibitors include, for example, nucleosidic inhibitors, non-nucleosidic inhibitors, protease inhibitors, fusion inhibitors and integrase inhibitors.

The term “HAV inhibitor” as used herein means an agent (compound or biological) that is effective to inhibit the formation and/or replication of HAV in a mammal. This includes agents that interfere with either host or viral mechanisms necessary for the formation and/or replication of HAV in a mammal. HAV inhibitors include Hepatitis A vaccines, for example, Havrix® (GlaxoSmithKline), VAQTA® (Merck) and Avaxim® (Aventis Pasteur).

The term “HBV inhibitor” as used herein means an agent (compound or biological) that is effective to inhibit the formation and/or replication of HBV in a mammal. This includes agents that interfere with either host or viral mechanisms necessary for the formation and/or replication of HBV in a mammal. HBV inhibitors include, for example, agents that inhibit HBV viral DNA polymerase or HBV vaccines. Specific examples of HBV inhibitors include Lamivudine (Epivir-HBV®), Adefovir Dipivoxil, Entecavir, FTC (Coviracil®), DAPD (DXG), L-FMAU (Clevudine®), AM365 (Amrad), Ldt (Telbivudine), monoval-LdC (Valtorcitabine), ACH-126,443 (L-Fd4C) (Achillion), MCC478 (Eli Lilly), Racivir (RCV), Fluoro-L and D nucleosides, Robustaflavone, ICN 2001-3 (ICN), Bam 205 (Novelos), XTL-001 (XTL), Imino-Sugars (Nonyl-DNF) (Synergy), HepBzyme; and immunomodulator products such as: interferon alpha 2b, HE2000 (Hollis-Eden), Theradigm (Epimmune), EHT899 (Enzo Biochem), Thymosin alpha-1 (Zadaxin®), HBV DNA vaccine (PowderJect), HBV DNA vaccine (Jefferon Center), HBV antigen (OraGen), BayHep B® (Bayer), Nabi-HB® (Nabi) and Anti-hepatitis B (Cangene); and HBV vaccine products such as the following: Engerix B, Recombivax HB, GenHevac B, Hepacare, Bio-Hep B, TwinRix, Comvax, Hexavac.

The term “class I interferon” as used herein means an interferon selected from a group of interferons that all bind to receptor type I. This includes both naturally and synthetically produced class I interferons. Examples of class I interferons include α-, β-, δ-, omega interferons, tau-interferons, consensus interferons, asialo-interferons.

The term “class II interferon” as used herein means an interferon selected from a group of interferons that all bind to receptor type II. Examples of class II interferons include γ-interferons.

Specific preferred examples of some of these agents are listed below:

-   -   antiviral agents: ribavirin and amantadine;     -   immunomodulatory agents: class I interferons, class II         interferons and pegylated interferons;     -   HCV NS3 protease inhibitors;     -   other inhibitors of the HCV polymerase: nucleosidic and         non-nucleosidic inhibitors;     -   inhibitor of another target in the HCV life cycle that inhibits         a target selected from: NS3 helicase, HCV NS2/3 protease or         internal ribosome entry site (IRES);     -   HIV inhibitors: nucleosidic inhibitors, non-nucleosidic         inhibitors, protease inhibitors, fusion inhibitors and integrase         inhibitors; or     -   HBV inhibitors: agents that inhibit viral DNA polymerase or is         an HBV vaccine.

As discussed above, combination therapy is contemplated wherein a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is co-administered with at least one additional agent selected from: an antiviral agent, an immunomodulatory agent, an inhibitor of HCV NS3 protease, another inhibitor of HCV polymerase, an inhibitor of another target in the HCV life cycle, an HIV inhibitor, an HAV inhibitor and an HBV inhibitor. Examples of such agents are provided in the Definitions section above. These additional agents may be combined with the compounds of this invention to create a single pharmaceutical dosage form. Alternatively these additional agents may be separately administered to the patient as part of a multiple dosage form, for example, using a kit. Such additional agents may be administered to the patient prior to, concurrently with, or following the administration of wherein a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

As used herein, the term “treatment” means the administration of a compound or composition according to the present invention to alleviate or eliminate symptoms of the hepatitis C disease and/or to reduce viral load in a patient.

As used herein, the term “prevention” means the administration of a compound or composition according to the present invention post-exposure of the individual to the virus but before the appearance of symptoms of the disease, and/or prior to the detection of the virus in the blood.

The following signs - - - and

are used interchangeably in subformulas to indicate the bond, or in the case of a spirocyclic group the atom, which is bonded to the rest of the molecule as defined.

As used herein, the designation whereby a bond to a substituent R is drawn as emanating from the center of a ring, such as, for example,

means that the substituent R may be attached to any free position on the ring that would otherwise be substituted by a hydrogen atom, unless specified otherwise.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As long as not stated otherwise, all groups, substituents and indices, like e.g. R¹, R², R^(2h), R³, R^(4a), R^(4b), R⁵, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R²¹, R³¹, R³², R³³, R³⁵, R⁶⁰, R¹¹¹, R¹¹², R¹¹⁷, R¹⁵⁰, R¹⁶⁰, R¹⁶¹, R¹⁶², R¹⁶³ R^(O), R^(C), R^(N1), R^(N2), R^(N3), R^(N4), A, B, M¹, M², M³, M⁴, Y¹, Z, HCy, and Het, have the definitions as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter. In the following, the preferred embodiments, groups, substituents and indices according to this invention are described.

In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, there is provided an isomer, enantiomer, diastereoisomer or tautomer of a compound, represented by formula I:

wherein

-   -   - - - represents either a single or a double bond;     -   B is —N— and A is CR¹or ═N—; or     -   B is ═C— and A is O, S or NR¹;     -   R¹ is selected from the group consisting of: H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl         optionally substituted with:         -   halogen, OR¹¹, SR¹¹ or N(R¹²)₂, wherein R¹¹ and each R¹² is             independently H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,             (C₁₋₆)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₆)alkyl-aryl or             (C₁₋₆)alkyl-Het, said aryl or Het optionally substituted             with R¹⁶⁰; or         -   both R¹² are covalently bonded together and to the nitrogen             to which they are both attached to form a 5, 6 or 7-membered             saturated heterocycle;     -   the group —C(═Y¹)—Z is covalently linked to either M² or M³,     -   M¹ is CR^(4a),     -   one of M² and M³ is CR⁵,     -   M⁴ is CR^(4b),     -   and in addition one or two of the groups selected from M¹, M²,         M³ and M⁴ may also be N, with the proviso that the group M² or         M³ to which —C(═Y¹)—Z is linked is an C-atom,     -   Y¹ is O or S;     -   Z is defined as NR^(N2)—SO₂—R^(C), wherein R^(C) is optionally         substituted with R⁶⁰;     -   R² is selected from: halogen or R²¹, wherein R²¹ is aryl or Het,         said R²¹ is optionally substituted with R¹⁵⁰;     -   R³ is selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,         (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₅₋₇)cycloalkenyl,         (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₅₋₇)cycloalkenyl, (C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkyl,         (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkyl, (C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkenyl,         (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkenyl, HCy or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-HCy,         -   wherein HCy is a saturated or unsaturated 4 to 7-membered             heterocyclic group with 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from O,             S and N;         -   said alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, bicycloalkyl,             bicycloalkenyl, HCy and alkyl-HCy being optionally             substituted with from 1 to 4 substituents selected from:             -   a) halogen;             -   b) (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally substituted with:                 -   OR³¹ or SR³¹ wherein R³¹ is H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl,                     (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; or                 -   N(R³²)₂ wherein each R³² is independently H,                     (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or                     (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; or both R³² are                     covalently bonded together and to the nitrogen to                     which they are attached to form a 5, 6 or 7-membered                     saturated heterocycle;             -   c) OR³³ or SR³³ wherein R³³ is H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl,                 (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl;             -   d) N(R³⁵)₂ wherein each R³⁵ is independently H,                 (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or                 (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; or both R³⁵ are covalently                 bonded together and to the nitrogen to which they are                 attached to form a 5, 6 or 7-membered saturated                 heterocycle;     -   R^(4a), R^(4b), R⁵ each are independently H or defined as R¹⁵⁰;     -   R⁶⁰ is defined as 1 to 4 substituents independently selected         from:         -   1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen;         -   one of each substituent selected from: OPO₃H, NO₂, cyano,             azido, C(═NH)NH₂, C(═NH)NH(C₁₋₆)alkyl or             C(═NH)NHCO(C₁₋₆)alkyl, SO₃H; and         -   1 to 3 substituents selected from:             -   a) (C₁₋₆) alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, C₃₋₇ spirocycloalkyl                 optionally containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from                 N, O and S; (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, (C₂₋₈)alkynyl,                 (C₁₋₆)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, all of which optionally                 being substituted with R¹⁵⁰;             -   b) OR^(O);             -   c) OC(O)R^(O);             -   d) SR^(O), SO₂R^(C), SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1),                 SO₂N(R^(N2))C(O)R^(C) or CONR^(N2)SO₂R^(C);             -   e) N(R^(N2))R^(N1), N(R^(N2))COOR^(C) or                 N(R^(N2))SO₂R^(C);             -   f) N(R^(N2))COR^(C);             -   g) N(R^(N3))CON(R^(N2))R^(N1);             -   h) N(R^(N3))COCOR^(C), N(R^(N3))COCOOR^(O) or                 N(R^(N3))COCON(R^(N2))R^(N1);             -   i) COR^(O);             -   j) COOR^(O);             -   k) CON(R^(N2))R^(N1);             -   l) aryl, Het, (C₁₋₄alkyl)aryl or (C₁₋₄alkyl)Het, all of                 which optionally being substituted with R¹⁵⁰;             -   wherein said R^(N1), R^(C) and/or R^(O) are optionally                 substituted with R¹⁵⁰ as defined,     -   R¹⁵⁰ is defined as 1 to 4 substituents independently selected         from:         -   1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen;         -   one of each substituent selected from: OPO₃H, NO₂, cyano,             azido, C(═NH)NH₂, C(═NH)NH(C₁₋₆)alkyl or             C(═NH)NHCO(C₁₋₆)alkyl; and         -   1 to 3 substituents selected from:             -   a) (C₁₋₆) alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, C₃₋₇ spirocycloalkyl                 optionally containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from                 N, O and S; (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, (C₂₋₈)alkynyl, (C₁₋₃)                 alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, all of which optionally                 substituted with R¹⁶⁰;             -   b) OR^(O);             -   c) OC(O)R^(O);             -   d) SR^(O), SO₂R^(C), SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1) or                 SO₂N(R^(N2))C(O)R^(C);             -   e) N(R^(N2))R^(N1), N(R^(N2))COOR^(C) or                 N(R^(N2))SO₂R^(C);             -   f) N(R^(N2))COR^(C);             -   g) N(R^(N3))CON(R^(N2))R^(N1);             -   h) N(R^(N3))COCOR^(C), N(R^(N3))COCOOR^(O) or                 N(R^(N3))COCON(R^(N2))R^(N1); wherein R^(N1) is as                 defined or OH, OAlkyl;             -   i) COR^(O);             -   j) COOR^(O);             -   k) tetrazole or CON(R^(N2))R^(N1);             -   wherein said R^(N1), R^(C) and/or R^(O) are optionally                 substituted with R¹⁶⁰ as defined;     -   R¹⁶⁰ is defined as 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected         from:         -   1, 2 or 3 fluorine substituents; and         -   one of each substituent selected from tetrazole, chlorine,             bromine, iodine, CN, nitro, C₁₋₄alkyl, CF₃, COOR¹⁶¹, SO₃H,             SR¹⁶¹, SO₂R¹⁶³, OR¹⁶¹, N(R¹⁶²)₂, SO₂N(R¹⁶²)₂,             SO₂NR¹⁶²COR¹⁶², NR¹⁶²SO₂R¹⁶³, NR¹⁶²COR¹⁶² or CON(R¹⁶²)₂,             wherein R¹⁶¹, R¹⁶³ and each R¹⁶² is independently             (C₁₋₄)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or             (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; and R¹⁶¹ and each R¹⁶² may             each independently also be H; or both R¹⁶² are covalently             bonded together and to the nitrogen to which they are             attached to form a 5, 6 or 7-membered saturated heterocycle;     -   R^(O), R^(C) are independently defined as (C₁₋₆)alkyl,         (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl,         aryl, Het, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-aryl, or (C₁₋₄)alkyl-Het;     -   R^(N1) is H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,         (C₁₋₄)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, aryl, Het,         (C₁₋₄)alkyl-aryl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-Het; and     -   R^(N2), R^(N3), R^(N4) are independently H, CH₃, (C₂₋₆alkyl),         (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl; all of which         being optionally substituted with halogen, carboxy or         C₁₋₆-alkoxycarbonyl; and/or wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl or         alkylcycloalkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy,         C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, amino, —NH(C₁₋₄-alkyl) and/or         —N(C₁₋₄-alkyl)₂; and     -    in the case         -   a) of a group N(R^(N2))R^(N1) the substituents R^(N2) and             R^(N1); or         -   b) of a group NR^(N3)—N(R^(N2))R^(N1) the substituents             R^(N3) and R^(N1), or R^(N2) and R^(N1);     -    may be covalently bonded together to form a 4-, 5-, 6- or         7-membered saturated or unsaturated N-containing heterocycle or         a 8-, 9-, 10- or 11-membered N-containing heterobicycle each may         have additionally from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from O, N,         and S, wherein said heterocycle or heterobicycle is optionally         substituted as defined;     -   wherein Het is defined as a 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocycle         having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S, or a 8-, 9-,         10- or 11-membered heterobicycle having 1 to 5 heteroatoms         selected from O, N and S;         or a salt thereof.

Core

This invention comprises compounds of the formulas Ia and Ib

Furthermore this invention comprises compounds according to the formulas I.1 to I.5

Preferably the groups M¹ and M⁴ are CR^(4a) and CR^(4b), respectively. One group of M² and M³ to which the group —C(═Y¹)—Z is covalently linked is preferably C and the other group of M³ and M² is preferably CR⁵.

Therefore those compounds are preferred which are described by the following formulas

whereby the fused phenyl-ring may be mono-, di- or tri-substituted, preferably mono- or di-substituted, with R¹⁵⁰.

The most preferred compounds of the beforementioned formulas are described by the following formulas:

whereby the fused phenyl ring may be mono-, di- or tri-substituted, preferably mono- or di-substituted, with R¹⁵⁰.

Furthermore compounds defined by the following formulas also belong to this invention

Yet furthermore, compounds defined by the following formulas also belong to this invention:

R¹

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention R¹ is selected from the group consisting of H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl, especially of H, CH₃, ethyl and isobutyl. Most preferably R¹ is H or methyl, in particular methyl.

Y¹

A preferred definition of Y¹ is O.

Z

According to a preferred embodiment Z is defined as NR^(N3)—SO₂—N(R^(N2))R^(N1), wherein R^(N1), R^(N2) and R^(N3) are defined as hereinbefore and R^(N1) or any heterocycle formed by R^(N1) and R^(N2) is optionally substituted with R⁶⁰.

According to a second preferred embodiment Z is defined as NR^(N2)—SO₂—R^(C), wherein R^(C) and R^(N2) are defined as hereinbefore and R^(C) is optionally substituted with R⁶⁰. Most preferably, Z is defined as NR^(N2)—SO₂—R^(C) wherein R^(N2) and R^(C) are defined as follows:

-   -   R^(N2) is H, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl or         (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl; in particular H or methyl; most         preferably H; and     -   R^(C) is (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl,         (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, phenyl, naphthyl,         Het, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-phenyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-naphthyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-Het,         wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl-cycloalkyl, alkenyl,         phenyl, naphthyl, Het, alkyl-phenyl, alkyl-naphthyl, or         alkyl-Het, are all optionally substituted with 1 to 4         substituents selected from R⁶⁰; preferably selected from R¹⁵⁰.

In this embodiment the preferred definition of R^(C) is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, piperazine, phenyl, naphthyl, benzyl, thiophene, furan, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, diazepine, azepine, quinoline, isoquinoline, benzofuran, benzothiophene, benzothiazole, purine, pteridine, 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole

and imidazo[2,1-B][1,3]thiazole

all of which are optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from R⁶⁰; preferably selected from R¹⁵⁰. Most preferred substituents thereof are halogen, nitro, (C₁₋₃)alkyl, O(C₁₋₃)alkyl, carboxyl, COO(C₁₋₃)alkyl, NHCO(C₁₋₃)alkyl, wherein the alkyl groups may be substituted by halogen.

R²

Preferably R² is R²¹, wherein R²¹ is a phenyl or Het selected from the group of formulas

and wherein said R²¹ is unsubstituted or substituted with R¹⁵⁰.

A very most preferred definition of R² is

all of which may be unsubstituted or substituted as defined.

In the case R² as defined above is substituted, it is preferably substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from:

-   -   1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen;     -   one of each substituent selected from: NO₂, cyano, azido; and     -   1 to 2 substituents selected from:         -   a) (C₁₋₄)alkyl or (C₁₋₄)alkoxy, both optionally substituted             with OH, O(C₁₋₄)alkyl, SO₂(C₁₋₄)alkyl, 1 to 3 halogen atoms,             amino, NH(CH₃) or N(CH₃)₂);         -   b) NR¹¹¹R¹¹² wherein both R¹¹¹ and R¹¹² are independently H,             (C₁₋₄)alkyl, or R¹¹² is (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,             (C₁₋₃)alkyl(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl; or both R¹¹¹             and R¹¹² are covalently bonded together and to the nitrogen             to which they are attached to form a nitrogen-containing             heterocycle, each of said alkyl, cycloalkyl,             alkylcycloalkyl, phenyl and benzyl, being optionally             substituted with halogen or:             -   OR^(2h) or N(R^(2h))₂, wherein each R^(2h) is                 independently H, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, or both R^(2h) are                 covalently bonded together and to the nitrogen to which                 they are attached to form a nitrogen-containing                 heterocycle;         -   c) NHCOR¹¹⁷ wherein R¹¹⁷ is (C₁₋₄)alkyl, O(C₁₋₄)alkyl or             O(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; and         -   e) CONH₂, CONH(C₁₋₄)alkyl), CON((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂.

Most preferred substituents of R² are selected from:

-   -   1 to 2 substituents selected from fluorine;     -   one of each substituent selected from: chlorine, bromine, NO₂,         cyano; and     -   1 to 2 substituents selected from:         -   a) methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl,             methoxy, trifluoromethoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy or i-propoxy,             wherein said methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, ethoxy,             n-propoxy and i-propoxy are optionally substituted with OH,             methoxy, amino, NH(CH₃) or N(CH₃)₂;         -   b) NR¹¹¹R¹¹² wherein both R¹¹¹ and R¹¹² are independently H             or methyl, or R¹¹² is phenyl or benzyl;         -   c) NHCOR¹¹⁷ wherein R¹¹⁷ is methyl or methoxy; and         -   e) CONH₂, CONH(CH₃), CON(CH₃)₂.

R³

R³ is preferably selected from (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₅₋₇)cycloalkenyl, (C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkyl, (C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkenyl, or HCy, wherein said groups are unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by halogen, hydroxy, (C₁₋₄)alkyl and/or O-(C₁₋₄)alkyl, wherein the alkyl groups may be fluorinated.

Most preferably R³ is cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl, or a group selected from:

wherein all said cyclic groups are unsubstituted or substituted by fluorine, (C₁₋₃)alkyl or CF₃.

The very most preferred definition of R³ is cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.

R^(4a), R^(4b), R⁵

Preferably R^(4a), R^(4b), R⁵ each are independently H, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃, (C₁₋₄)alkoxy, —O—(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, —O—(C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, —O-aryl, —O—(C₁₋₃)alkyl-aryl, —O-Het, —O—(C₁₋₃)alkyl-Het, NR^(N1)R^(N2), or COR^(O), NR^(N2)COR^(C), CONR^(N2)R^(N1), NR^(N2)CONR^(N1)R^(N2), in particular NHCO(C₁₋₄)alkyl or CONHR^(N1), NHCONHR^(N1);

wherein R^(C), R^(O), R^(N1), R^(N2), R^(N3) are as defined; preferably R^(C), R^(O) and R^(N1) are independently of each other H, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, aryl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-aryl, wherein aryl is preferably optionally substituted phenyl; and preferably R^(N2) and R^(N3) are independently H or methyl; wherein all said alkyl groups, including alkoxy, may be mono-, di- or trisubstituted by fluorine or mono-substituted by chlorine or bromine.

Most preferred substituents R^(4a), R^(4b), R⁵ each are independently H, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methyl, CF₃, methoxy, carboxy, amino, —NMe₂, —CONH₂, —NHCONH₂, —CO—NHMe, —NHCONHMe, —CO—NMe₂ or —NHCONMe₂; in particular H, methyl or methoxy. Preferably R^(4a) is H or methyl. Very most preferably at least two of the substituents selected from R^(4a), R^(4b), R⁵ are H.

R⁶⁰

The substituents R⁶⁰ are preferably each defined as 1 to 4 substituents independently selected from:

-   -   1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen;     -   one of each substituent selected from: NO₂, cyano, azido; and     -   1 to 3 substituents selected from:         -   a) (C₁₋₄) alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₄)alkenyl,             (C₂₋₄)alkynyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, all of which             optionally being substituted with R¹⁵⁰;         -   b) OR^(O);         -   e) N(R^(N2))R^(N1);         -   f) N(R^(N2))COR^(C);         -   j) COOR^(O);         -   k) CON(R^(N2))R^(N1);         -   l) phenyl, Het, (C₁₋₃alkyl)phenyl or (C₁₋₃alkyl)Het; wherein             Het is selected from furan, tetrahydrofuran, thiophene,             tetrahydrothiophene, tetrahydropyran, pyridinyl, azetidine,             pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine,             thiomorpholine, homopiperidine and homopiperazine;             wherein said R^(N1), R^(C) and/or R^(O) are optionally             substituted with R¹⁵⁰ as defined.

R¹⁵⁰

R¹⁵⁰ is preferably defined as 1 to 4 substituents independently selected from:

-   -   1 to 3 fluorine-substituents;     -   one of each substituent selected from: chlorine, bromine,         iodine, NO₂, cyano, azido; and     -   1 to 3 substituents selected from:         -   a) (C₁₋₃) alkyl, CF₃, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₃)             alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, all of which optionally substituted             with R¹⁶⁰;         -   b) OR^(O);         -   e) N(R^(N2))R^(N1);         -   f) N(R^(N2))COR^(C);         -   j) COOR^(O);         -   k) CON(R^(N2))R^(N1);             wherein said R^(N1), R^(C) and/or R^(O) are optionally             substituted with R¹⁶⁰ as defined.

R¹⁶⁰

R¹⁶⁰ is preferably defined as 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from:

-   -   1, 2 or 3 fluorine substituents; and     -   one of each substituent selected from chlorine, bromine, iodine,         CN, nitro, methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl,         COOH, COOCH₃, OH, OCH₃, OCF₃, NH₂, NHCH₃, N(CH₃)₂, SO₂NH₂,         NHCOCH₃, SO₂NHCOCH₃ or CONH₂, CONHCH₃ and CON(CH₃)₂.

R^(O), R^(C)

Preferably R^(O), R^(C) are independently selected from (C₁₋₄)alkyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, Het, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-Het; all of which are optionally substituted as defined; and R^(O) may also be H.

R^(N1), R^(N2), R^(N3), R^(N4)

R^(N1) is preferably selected from H, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, Het, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-Het; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl-cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, Het and alkyl-Het are optionally substituted as defined; or

R^(N2), R^(N3), R^(N4) are independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl; all of which being optionally substituted with methyl, fluorine, carboxy or methoxycarbonyl; and/or wherein said ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl, but preferably not the C-atom thereof directly bonded to the N-atom, is optionally substituted with hydroxy, methyl, methoxy, amino, —NH(CH₃) and/or —N(CH₃)₂; and

in the case

-   -   a) of a group N(R^(N2))R^(N1) the substituents R^(N2) and         R^(N1); or     -   b) of a group NR^(N3)—N(R^(N2))R^(N1) the substituents R^(N3)         and R^(N1) or R^(N2) and R^(N1);         may be covalently bonded together to form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered         saturated heterocycle which may have additionally one heteroatom         selected from O, N, and S, wherein said heterocycle is         optionally substituted as defined.

Included within the scope of this invention are all compounds of formula I as presented in Tables 1 and 2. Preferred compounds of these tables show an IC₅₀ value of below 1 μM (range B as defined hereinafter).

Polymerase Activity

The ability of the compounds of formula (I) to inhibit RNA synthesis by the RNA dependent RNA polymerase of HCV can be demonstrated by any assay capable of measuring RNA dependent RNA polymerase activity. A suitable assay is described in the examples.

Specificity for RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase Activity

To demonstrate that the compounds of the invention act by specific inhibition of HCV polymerase, the compounds may be tested for inhibitory activity in an assay measuring the activity of an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase other than the HCV polymerase or in a DNA dependent RNA polymerase assay.

When a compound of formula (I), or one of its therapeutically acceptable salts, is employed as an antiviral agent, it is administered orally, topically or systemically to mammals, e.g. humans, cattle, pig, dogs, cats, rabbits or mice, in a vehicle comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, the proportion of which is determined by the solubility and chemical nature of the compound, chosen route of administration and standard biological practice.

For oral administration, the compound or a therapeutically acceptable salt thereof can be formulated in unit dosage forms such as capsules or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient, ranging from about 25 to 500 mg, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

For topical administration, the compound can be formulated in pharmaceutically accepted vehicles containing 0.1 to 5 percent, preferably 0.5 to 5 percent, of the active agent. Such formulations can be in the form of a solution, cream or lotion.

For parenteral administration, the compound of formula (I) is administered by either intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, in compositions with pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles or carriers. For administration by injection, it is preferred to use the compounds in solution in a sterile aqueous vehicle which may also contain other solutes such as buffers or preservatives as well as sufficient quantities of pharmaceutically acceptable salts or of glucose to make the solution isotonic.

Suitable vehicles or carriers for the above noted formulations are described in pharmaceutical texts, e.g. in “Remington's The Science and Practice of Pharmacy”, 19th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 1995, or in “Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms And Drugs Delivery Systems”, 6th ed., H. C. Ansel et al., Eds., Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, Md., 1995.

The dosage of the compound will vary with the form of administration and the particular active agent chosen. Furthermore, it will vary with the particular host under treatment. Generally, treatment is initiated with small increments until the optimum effect under the circumstance is reached. In general, the compound of formula I is most desirably administered at a concentration level that will generally afford antivirally effective results without causing any harmful or deleterious side effects.

For oral administration, the compound or a therapeutically acceptable salt is administered in the range of 10 to 200 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, with a preferred range of 25 to 150 mg per kilogram.

For systemic administration, the compound of formula (I) is administered at a dosage of 10 mg to 150 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, although the aforementioned variations will occur. A dosage level that is in the range of from about 10 mg to 100 mg per kilogram of body weight per day is most desirably employed in order to achieve effective results.

When the compositions of this invention comprise a combination of a compound of formula I and one or more additional therapeutic or prophylactic agent, both the compound and the additional agent should be present at dosage levels of between about 10 to 100%, and more preferably between about 10 and 80% of the dosage normally administered in a monotherapy regimen.

When these compounds or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are formulated together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, the resulting composition may be administered in vivo to mammals, such as man, to inhibit HCV polymerase or to treat or prevent HCV virus infection. Such treatment may also be achieved using the compounds of this invention in combination with agents which include, but are not limited to: immunomodulatory agents, such as α-, β-, or γ-interferons; other antiviral agents such as ribavirin, amantadine; other inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase; inhibitors of other targets in the HCV life cycle, which include but are not limited to, helicase, NS2/3 protease, NS3 protease, or internal ribosome entry site (IRES); or combinations thereof. The additional agents may be combined with the compounds of this invention to create a single dosage form. Alternatively these additional agents may be separately administered to a mammal as part of a multiple dosage form.

Methodology and Synthesis

The synthesis of compounds according to this invention is preferably accomplished by applying the procedures as outlined in the examples, including any adaptation of these procedures and/or applying additional synthesis steps known to the person skilled in the art. For example, carboxylic acid or thiocarboxylic acid intermediates (I″ in the schemes described hereinafter) required in the preparation of compounds of formula I can be prepared by procedures, or adaptations thereof, described in WO 03/010141 or WO 02/04425.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is illustrated in further detail by the following non-limiting examples. All reactions are performed in a nitrogen or argon atmosphere. Temperatures are given in degrees Celsius. Flash chromatography is performed on silica gel. Solution percentages or ratios express a volume to volume relationship, unless stated otherwise. Mass spectral analyses are recorded using electrospray mass spectrometry. Hereinbefore and hereinafter the following abbreviations or symbols are used:

-   AcOH: acetic acid; -   BOP: benzotriazole-1-yloxy-tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium     hexafluorophosphate; -   BroP: Bromo tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate; -   Bu: butyl; -   DCC: 1,3-Dicyclohexyl carbodiimide; -   DCM: dichloromethane; -   DIEA: diisopropylethylamine; -   DMAP: 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine; -   DMF: N,N-dimethylformamide; -   DMSO: dimethylsulfoxide; -   EDAC: see EDC; -   EDC: 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl carbodiimide hydrochloride; -   ES⁻: electro spray (negative ionization); -   ES⁺: electro spray (positive ionization); -   Et: ethyl; -   Et₂O: diethyl ether; -   EtOAc: ethyl acetate; -   EtOH: ethanol; -   HATU: O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium     hexafluorophosphate; -   HPLC: high performance liquid chromatography; -   ^(i)Pr: isopropyl; -   ^(i)PrOH: isopropanol; -   Me: methyl; -   MeCN: acetonitrile; -   MeOH: methanol; -   MS (ES): electrospray mass spectrometry; -   Ph: phenyl; -   Ra-Ni: Raney nickel -   RT: room temperature (approximately 25° C.) -   TBME: tert-butylmethyl ether; -   TBTU: 2(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium     tetrafluoroborate; -   tBu: tert.-butyl; -   TFA: trifluoroacetic acid; -   THF: tetrahydrofuran; -   TLC: thin layer chromatography;

Example 1 General Procedure for the Preparation of Acylsulfonamides of General Formula I

Acylsulfonamide derivatives of the general formula I (Z=NR^(N2)SO₂R^(C)) according to this invention are preferably prepared by firstly activating the carboxyl group (or thio analog) of the corresponding carboxylic acid derivative (or thio analog) of formula I′ and secondly condensing the activated carboxylic acid derivative (or thio analog) with sulfonamides using standard procedures as depicted in the following scheme.

wherein A, B, M¹ to M⁴, R², R³, Y¹, Z, R^(N2) and R^(C) are as defined hereinbefore, Z is defined as NR^(N2)SO₂R^(C) and - - - represents either a single or double bond.

The carboxylic acid derivative (or thio analog) of formula I′, including esters thereof, are preferably synthesized according or in analogy to the procedures as outlined in WO 03/010141 and WO 02/04425.

Activation of carboxylic acids such as those described in the scheme above, can be accomplished using standard amide bond forming reagents such as TBTU, HATU, BOP, BroP, EDAC, DCC, isobutyl chloroformate and the like. Alternatively, activation of the carboxyl group is accomplished by conversion to the corresponding acid chloride prior to condensation with a sulfonamide. Sulfonamides can be obtained from commercial sources or prepared from the corresponding sulfonyl chlorides using a solution of ammonia in an inert solvent such as dioxane, THF and the like.

Example 2 General Procedure for the Preparation of Acylsulfonyldiamides of General Formula I

Acylsulfonyldiamide derivatives of general formula I (Z=NR^(N3)SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1)) are prepared by condensation of carboxylic acid derivative of general formula I′ (or thio analog) with sulfonyldiamides using standard procedures as depicted in the scheme below.

wherein A, B, M¹ to M⁴, R², R³, Y¹, R^(N1), R^(N2) and R^(N3) are as defined hereinbefore, Z is defined as NR^(N3)SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1) and - - - represents either a single or double bond.

The carboxylic acid derivative (or thio analog) of formula I′, including esters thereof, are preferably synthesized according or in analogy to the procedures as outlined in WO 03/010141 and WO 02/04425.

Activation of carboxylic acids such as those described in the scheme, can be accomplished using standard amide bond forming reagents such as TBTU, HATU, BOP, BroP, EDAC, DCC, isobutyl chloroformate and the like. Alternatively, activation of the carboxyl group is accomplished by conversion to the corresponding acid chloride prior to condensation with a sulfonyldiamide. Sulfonyldiamides of formula HNR^(N3)SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1), as required in the second step of the scheme, can be prepared by known methods, such as heating amines of formula R^(N3)NH₂ with sulfamide in an appropriate solvent (e.g. dioxane) at temperatures ranging from 80 to 160° C. Such procedures are exemplified in the literature (e.g. R. Sarges Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 1976, 19, 695–709).

Example 3

Methyl 4-amino-3-iodobenzoate

Methyl 4-aminobenzoate (30.23 g, 200 mmol) was added to a mixture of iodine (60.91 g, 240 mmol) and silver sulfate (81.07 g, 260 mmol) in 1 L of ethanol at room temperature. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours, filtered over Celite and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (230–400 mesh) and eluted with 1% ethyl acetate in hexane to give 35 g (63%).

Methyl 4-(N-cyclopentylamino)-3-iodobenzoate

A mixture of methyl 4-amino-3-iodobenzoate from above (27.69 g, 100 mmol), cyclopentanone (52.8 mL, 600 mmol), and anhydrous sodium sulfate (1000 g, 142 mmol) in 500 mL of glacial acetic acid was stirred for two hours. Solid sodium triacetoxyborohydride (76.92, 345 mmol) was added in portions and stirred for 16 hrs at room temperature. The mixture was poured on to cool 900 mL of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution carefully and extracted with 150 mL (3×) of ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate fraction was dried and evaporated. Purification with silica gel and 0.5% ethyl acetate in hexane gave 24 g (70%).

Methyl 1-cyclopentyl-3-methyl-2-trimethylsilylindole-5-carboxylate

A mixture of methyl 4-(N-cyclopentylamino)-3-iodobenzoate from above (22.42 g, 65 mmol), palladium acetate (738 mg, 3.28 mmol), lithium chloride (2.757 g, 65 mmol), potassium acetate (12.757 g, 92.30 mmol), and 1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne (28.70 mL, 192.56 mmol) in 390 mL of DMF was heated at 100° C. for 6 hours. The mixture was added onto 500 mL of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate fraction was dried, evaporated and semi-purified by flash chromatography using silica gel and 0.1% ethyl acetate in hexane. Adding hexane to the semi-purified compound gave 16 g of white crystals (75%).

Methyl 2-bromo-1-cyclopentyl-3-methylindole-5-carboxylate

1-Cyclopentyl-3-methyl-2-trimethylsilylindole-5-carboxylate from above (16.45 g, 50 mmol) was dissolved in 500 mL of dichloromethane, cooled to 0° C. A solution of bromine (1 M, 45 mL, 45 mmol) in dichloromethane was added slowly and stirred for 30 minutes. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure, chromatographed on silica gel with 0.1% ethyl acetate to give a semi-pure compound. Addition of hexane gave 12 g (71%).

Methyl 1-cyclopentyl-3-methyl-2-(2-pyridyl)indole-5-carboxylate

The 2-bromoindole from above (1.53 g, 4.55 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (20 mL) and the solution was cooled to −78° C. under an argon atmosphere. N-BuLi (solution in hexane, 4.78 mmol, 1.05 equiv.) was added dropwise and the mixture was stirred 30 min in the cold. Trimethylborate (0.62 mL, 5.46 mmol, 1.2 equiv.) was added dropwise and the solution stirred at −78° C. for 40 min and then at 0° C. for 1 h. Finally the reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to room temperature and additional THF (20 mL) was added. para-Tolylphosphine (0.083 g, 0.27 mmol, 0.06 equiv.) and 2-bromopyridine (0.86 g, 5.46 mmol, 1.2 equiv.) were then added and the solution was degassed by bubbling argon through for 30 min. Palladium acetate (10 mg, 0.046 mmol, 0.01 equiv.), anhydrous potassium carbonate (1.26 g, 9.1 mmol, 2 equiv.) and MeOH (20 mL) were added and the mixture was refluxed overnight under an argon atmosphere. After cooling to RT, TBME (12 mL) and water (12 mL) were added, the organic phase was separated and the aqueous phase extracted with additional TBME (2×25 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated to give a residue that was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using 5–10% EtOAc in hexane as eluent: 1.21 g (79%).

1-Cyclopentyl-3-methyl-2-(2-pyridyl)indole-5-carboxylic acid

The methyl ester from above (1.10 g, 3.29 mmol) was dissolved in 1:1 THF-MeOH (10 mL) and 6 N aqueous NaOH (4.2 mL, 5 equiv.) was added. The mixture was stirred for 3 h at 60° C. The reaction mixture was cooled to RT and water (15 mL) was added. The suspension was filtered and the yellow filtrate washed with TBME (2×20 mL) and hexane (20 mL). Conc. HCl (1.9 mL) was added dropwise with stirring to pH 8, followed by AcOH (3 mL) to pH 2. The suspension was cooled and the white solid collected by filtration. The product was then dried under vacuum: 0.90 g (86%).

Example 4 3-Cyclohexyl-2-furan-3-yl-7-methyl-1H-indole-6-carboxylic acid methyl ester

Step 1: 3-Amino-2-methylbenzoic acid (15.00 g, 0.099 mol) was suspended in MeOH (150 mL) and thionyl chloride (25.33 mL, 0.347 mole, 3.5 equiv.) was added dropwise. The mixture was heated overnight at 70° C. After cooling to RT, volatiles were removed under reduced pressure and the residue triturated with ether (150 mL). The solid was filtered off and dried (18.36 g). The solid was suspended in DCM (600 mL) and saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (250 mL) was added. After stirring for 15 minutes, the organic layer was separated and washed successively with NaHCO₃ solution (2×250 mL), water (250 mL) and brine (250 mL). The solution was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and evaporated to dryness to give the desired aniline (14.8 g, 90% yield).

Steps 2 and 3: The ester obtained in the previous step (12.50 g, 75.6 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (190 mL) and methylthioacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal (10.1 mL, 75.6 mmol) was added. The solution was cooled to −30° C. N-chlorosuccinimide (10.10 g, 75.6 mmol) was added in 6 portions over 30 minutes. Triethylamine (10.6 mL, 75.6 mmol) was then added dropwise over 10 min and after stirring for an additional 15 min, the cooling bath was removed and the temperature brought to reflux. After 5 h, the reaction mixture was cooled to RT and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in ether (750 mL) and 2M HCl (303 mL) was added. After stirring at RT for 1.5 h, the ether layer was separated and washed with NaHCO₃ solution (2×150 mL) and brine (250 mL). The original acidic aqueous phase was extracted with DCM (2×100 mL) and the extracts washed as above and then combined with the first ether phase. The combined organic phases were dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to dryness and the material purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using 30–0% hexane in DCM as eluent to give the desired 3-thiomethylindole derivative (9.37 g).

Step 4: The thiomethyl indole obtained in the previous step (8.37 g, 35.4 mmol) was dissolved in absolute EtOH (220 mL) and Raney-nickel (Ra-Ni, 25 g) was added. After stirring at RT for 3 h, another portion of Ra-Ni (15 g) was added and stirring resumed for an additional 45 min. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate evaporated to dryness to give the desired indole (6.26 g, 93%).

Step 5: The indole ester obtained in the previous step (4.00 g, 21 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of MeOH (18 mL) and water (18 mL). KOH (11.86 g, 210 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred at 75° C. for 2 h. Cyclohexanone (7.26 g, 74 mmol, 3 equiv.) was added dropwise over 15 min and stirring at 75° C. was continued overnight. MeOH was removed under reduced pressure and water (500 mL) was added to the residue. Insoluble material was removed by filtration and the aqueous phase was then washed with TBME (200 mL). The aqueous phase was acidified to pH 4 with formic acid to produce a white precipitate that was collected by filtration, washed with water and dried. The desired cyclohexenylindole was obtained (4.77 g, 89%).

Step 6: The cyclohexene derivative from above (4.70 g, 18 mmol) was dissolved in MeOH (1 L) and 20% Pd(OH)₂ on C (0.24 g) was added. The mixture was hydrogenated (60 psi of H₂ gas) for 7 h, filtered, and then concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was triturated with MeOH (100 mL), and the solid collected by filtration and dried (3.50 g).

Step 7: The carboxylic acid from step 6 (3.44 g, 13 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (22 mL) and anhydrous K₂CO₃ (2.55 g, 18 mmol) was added followed by iodomethane (2.09 g, 15 mmol). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature and then poured into water (60 mL) and acidified to pH 4 with 4 N HCl (10 mL). The product was extracted with ether (3×150 mL) and washed with water (4×90 mL) and brine (90 mL). After drying (Na₂SO₄) and removal of solvents, the desired methyl ester was obtained as a white solid (3.44 g).

Step 8: The indole derivative of step 7 (3.20 g, 12 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of THF (30 mL) and CHCl₃ (30 mL) and the solution cooled to −5° C. Pyridinium tribromide (5.17 g, 16 mmol) was added in portions maintaining the internal temperature at −5° C. After stirring for 1 h at −5° C., the reaction was allowed to warm up to room temperature and concentrated to dryness. Water (50 mL) was added and the product extracted with ether (3×100 mL). The extract was washed with water (2×90 mL) and brine (90 mL) and dried (Na₂SO₄). Removal of solvents under reduced pressure gave a residue that was purified by flash chromatography using 10% EtOAc in hexane as eluent. The desired bromide was obtained as a solid (3.23 g).

Step 9: The bromoindole of step 8 (3.10 g, 8.9 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of toluene (20 mL), EtOH (20 mL) and water (14 mL). 3-Furylboronic acid (1.27 g, 11.3 mmol), LiCl (0.75 g, 17.7 mmol) and Na₂CO₃ (2.35 g, 22.1 mmol) were added. The solution was degassed by bubbling argon gas for 30 min and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium° (0.41 g, 0.35 mmol) was added. The mixture was heated to 80° C. for 3 h, cooled to room temperature and extracted with TBME (350 mL) using water (90 mL) for rinsing undissolved solids. The organic phase was separated and the aqueous phase extracted twice more with TBME (2×150 mL). The combined extracts were washed with water (2×100 mL) and brine (100 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated to dryness. The residue was purified by flash chromatography using 5–15% EtOAc in hexane as eluent (3.0 g). The protected indole from above can be saponified to the free carboxylic acid as described in example 3.

Example 5 Methyl 2-bromo-3-cyclohexyl-1H-indole-5-carboxylate and 3-cyclohexyl-2-furan-3-yl-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid

Using the same series of reactions described in example 2 of WO 03/010141 but starting from indole 5-carboxylic acid, methyl 2-bromo-3-cyclohexyl-1H-indole-5-carboxylate was obtained and elaborated to 3-cyclohexyl-2-furan-3-yl-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid using protocols such as those described in examples 3 and 4.

Example 6 7-Methoxy-1H-indole-6-carboxylic acid methyl ester

Step 1: 4-Methylsalicylic acid (32.1 g, 0.21 mol) and potassium carbonate (61.2 g, 0.44 mol) were suspended in acetone (300 mL) and the mixture brought to reflux temperature. Dimethyl sulfate (66.5 g, 0.53 mol) was added dropwise within 1 h and stirring continued overnight at reflux. Additional dimethylsulfate (30 mL) and potassium carbonate (2×15 g) were added and refluxing for an additional 24 h was required to complete the reaction. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature and inorganic salts removed by filtration using acetone for washings. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure and the oily residue was dissolved in MeOH (300 mL). Concentrated ammonium hydroxide (90 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature. Methanol was removed in vacuo and the residue portioned between ether (300 mL) and water (200 mL). The organic phase was separated and washed with brine and dried (Na₂SO₄). Evaporation of the ether gave the desired di-methylated product as a yellow oil (38.1 g) that was used directly in the next step.

Step 2: The ester obtained in the previous step (38.0 g, 0.21 mol) was dissolved in AcOH (250 mL) and bromine (37.2 g, 0.23 mole, 1.1 equiv.) was added dropwise over 30 min with stirring at room temperature. After completion, the reaction mixture was stirred for an additional hour, at which point TLC analysis indicated complete conversion. The reaction mixture was poured into water (1 L) and solid Na₂CO₃ was added cautiously with stirring until the mixture was neutral. The off-white precipitate that formed was collected by filtration, washed with water and dried to give the desired bromo derivative (47.2 g).

Step 3: The bromo derivative obtained in the previous step (44.5 g, 0.17 mol) was adding in small portions to conc. H₂SO₄ (170 mL) and the mixture was stirred in an ice-salt bath until all solids dissolved. Conc. HNO₃ (17 mL) was then added dropwise over 20 min and stirring continued for an additional hour in the ice bath. The reaction mixture was then slowly added to ice-water (2 L) and the precipitated yellow solid was collected by filtration. The solid was washed with water, NaHCO₃ solution and water again. After drying, the desired nitro derivative was obtained as an orange solid (36.8 g).

Step 4: The product obtained in the previous step (129.0 g, 0.42 mol) was dissolved in DMF (400 mL) and DMF-dimethyl acetal (151.6 g, 1.27 mole, 3 equiv.) was added in one portion. The mixture was heated at 110–120° C. under an argon atmosphere until conversion was judged complete by TLC (24 h). The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and volatiles removed under vacuum to give a dark colored residue (˜180 g). Trituration from ether-THF gave the desired enamine as red crystals (72 g).

Step 5: The enamine obtained in the previous step (72.0 g, 0.20 mol) was dissolved in a mixture of THF (600 mL) and MeOH (600 mL). The dark red solution was heated to 30° C. and Raney-Nickel (18 g) was added to the solution. Hydrazine hydrate (11.6 g, 0.23 mole, 1.15 equiv.) was then added dropwise over 30 min. The reaction temperature was increased to 50° C. and a second portion of hydrazine hydrate (11.6 g, 0.23 mole, 1.15 equiv.) was added over 30 min. After stirring overnight at 50° C., additional Raney-nickel (20 g) and hydrazine hydrate (11.6 g, 0.23 mole, 1.15 equiv.) were added and after stirring for another 7 at 50° C., the reaction was judged complete by TLC. After cooling, the catalyst was removed by filtration through a pad of celite and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure. The dark brown residue was dissolved in EtOAc (3 L) and the solution washed with water (1.5 L), 10% HCl (1 L) and brine (700 mL). After drying (Na₂SO₄), removal of solvents gave the desired bromoindole derivative as a brown solid (35 g).

Step 6: The bromoindole derivative obtained in the previous step (35 g) was dissolved in MeOH (1 L) and triethylamine (16.3 g, 1.2 equiv.) was added followed by 10% Pd/C (1.06 g). The mixture was stirred under hydrogen (35 psi) until completion of the reaction (7 h). The catalyst was then removed by filtration and volatiles removed under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc (700 mL) and the solution washed with 10% HCl (300 mL), water (350 mL), NaHCO₃ (350 mL) and brine. The solution was dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure to give the desired indole as a light brown solid (25 g).

This indole derivative was saponified under standard conditions and elaborated to final inhibitors as described in examples 3 and 4.

Example 7 Inhibition of NS5B RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase Activity

The compounds of the invention were tested for inhibitory activity against the hepatitis C virus RNA dependent polymerase (NS5B), according to the protocol described in WO 03/010141.

Example 8 Specificity of NS5B RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase Inhibition

The compounds of the invention were tested for inhibitory activity against polio virus RNA dependent RNA polymerase and calf thymus DNA dependent RNA polymerase II in the format that is described in WO 03/010141 for the HCV polymerase, with the exception that another polymerase was used in place of the HCV NS5B polymerase.

In Tables 1 and 2 below, the following ranges apply:

-   IC₅₀: A=20 μM-1 μM and B<1 μM

The following compounds are prepared, defined by A, B, R², R³ and Z according to the table 1.

TABLE 1

Cpd. MS # A B R² R³ Z IC₅₀ (MH⁺) 101 —N(CH₃)— ═C—

B 475.1 102 ═N— —N—

A 447.1 103 ═N— —N—

A 461.1 104 ═N— —N—

A 399.1 105 ═N— —N—

A 521.2 106 ═N— —N—

A 385.1 107 ═N— —N—

B 507.1 108 ═N— —N—

B 136.1 109 ═N— —N—

A 374.1 110 ═N— —N—

B 496.1 111 ═N— —N—

B 450.1 112 ═N— —N—

B 388.1 113 ═N— —N—

B 510.1 114 —N(CH₃)— ═C—

B 463.1 115 —N(CH₃)— ═C—

B 413.1 116 —N(CH₃)— ═C—

B 441.2 117 —N(CH₃)— ═C—

B 461.1 118 ═C(CH₃)— —N—

B 449.1 119 ═C(CH₃)— —N—

A 398.1 120 —O— ═C—

A 414.1 121 —S— ═C—

B 390.1 122 —S— ═C—

A 427.1 123 —N(CH₃)— ═C—

B 398.1 124 —NH— ═C—

B 449.2 125 —NH— ═C—

B 373.1 126 —N(CH₃)— ═C—

A 558.3 127 ═C(CH₃)— —N—

128 —O— ═C—

129 —N(CH₃)— ═C—

The following compounds are prepared, defined by R², R³, R^(4a) and Z according to the table 2. The position number p being 2 or 3 indicates to which C-atom the group C(═O)—Z is bonded.

TABLE 2

Cpd. MS # R² R³ R^(4a) p Z IC₅₀ (MH⁺) 201

—OCH₃ 2

B 417.1 202

—OCH₃ 2

B 479.1 203

—H 3

A 401.1 204

—H 3

A 463.1 

1. An isomer, enantiomer, diastereoisomer, or tautomer of a compound, represented by formula I:

wherein - - - represents either a single or a double bond; B is —N— and A is ═CR¹—; or B is ═C— and A is NR¹; R¹ is selected from the group consisting of: H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally substituted with: halogen, OR¹¹, SR¹¹ or N(R¹²)₂, wherein R¹¹ and each R¹² is independently H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₆)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₆)alkyl-aryl or (C₁₋₆)alkyl-Het, said aryl or Het optionally substituted with R¹⁶⁰; the group —C(═Y¹)—Z is covalently linked to either M² or M³, M¹ is CR^(4a), M² or M³, when not linked to —C(═Y¹)—Z, is CR⁵, M⁴ is CR^(4b), Y¹ is O or S; Z is defined as NR^(N2)—SO₂—R^(C) or NR^(N3)—SO₂—N(R^(N2))R^(N1), wherein R^(C) or R^(N1) is optionally substituted with R⁶⁰; R² is selected from: halogen or R²¹, wherein R²¹ is aryl or Het, said R²¹ is optionally substituted with R¹⁵⁰; R³ is selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₅₋₇)cycloalkenyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₅₋₇)cycloalkenyl, (C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkyl, (C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkenyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkenyl, HCy or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-HCy, wherein HCy is a saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic group with 1 to 2 heteroatoms selected from O and S; said alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, bicycloalkyl, bicycloalkenyl, HCy and alkyl-HCy being optionally substituted with from 1 to 4 substituents selected from: a) halogen; b) (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally substituted with: 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen; OR³¹ or SR³¹ wherein R³¹ is H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; or N(R³²)₂ wherein each R³² is independently H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; c) OR³³ or SR³³ wherein R³³ is H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; d) N(R³⁵)₂ wherein each R³⁵ is independently H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; R^(4a), R^(4b), R⁵ each are independently H or defined as R¹⁵⁰; R⁶⁰ is defined as 1 to 4 substituents independently selected from: 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen; one of each substituent selected from: OPO₃H, NO₂, cyano, azido, C(═NH)NH₂, C(═NH)NH(C₁₋₆)alkyl or C(═NH)NHCO(C₁₋₆)alkyl, SO₃H; and 1 to 3 substituents selected from: a) (C₁₋₆) alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇) spirocycloalkyl optionally containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, (C₂₋₈)alkynyl, (C₁₋₆)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, all of which optionally being substituted with R¹⁵⁰; b) OR^(O); c) OC(O)R^(O); d) SR^(O), SO₂R^(C), SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1), SO₂N(R^(N2))C(O)R^(C), CONR^(N3)SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1), or CONR^(N2)SO₂R^(C); e) N(R^(N2))R^(N1), N(R^(N2))COOR^(C), N(R^(N2))SO₂R^(C) or N(R^(N1))OR^(O); f) N(R^(N2))COR^(C); g) N(R^(N3))CON(R^(N2))R^(N1); h) N(R^(N3))COCOR^(C), N(R^(N3))COCOOR^(O), N(R^(N3))COCON(R^(N2))OR^(O), or N(R^(N3))COCON(R^(N2))R^(N1); i) COR^(O); j) COOR^(O); k) CON(R^(N2))R^(N1); l) aryl, Het, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-aryl or (C₁₋₄)alkyl-Het, all of which optionally being substituted with R¹⁵⁰; wherein said R^(N1), R^(C) and/or R^(O) are optionally substituted with R¹⁵⁰ as defined, R¹⁵⁰ is defined as 1 to 4 substituents independently selected from: 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen; one of each substituent selected from: OPO₃H, NO₂, cyano, azido, SO₃H C(═NH)NH₂, C(═NH)NH(C₁₋₆)alkyl or C(═NH)NHCO(C₁₋₆)alkyl; and 1 to 3 substituents selected from: a) (C₁₋₆) alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇) spirocycloalkyl optionally containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from O and S; (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, (C₂₋₈)alkynyl, (C₁₋₃) alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, all of which optionally substituted with R¹⁶⁰; b) OR^(O); c) OC(O)R^(O); d) SR^(O), SO₂R^(C), SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1) or SO₂N(R^(N2))C(O)R^(C); e) N(R^(N2))R^(N1), N(R^(N2))COOR^(C), N(R^(N2))SO₂R^(C) or N(R^(N1))OR^(O); f) N(R^(N2))COR^(C); g) N(R^(N3))CON(R^(N2))R^(N1); h) N(R^(N3))COCOR^(C), N(R^(N3))COCOOR^(O), N(R^(N3))COCON(R^(N2))OH, N(R^(N3))COCON(R^(N2))O(C₁₋₄)alkyl or N(R^(N3))COCON(R^(N2))R^(N1); i) COR^(O); j) COOR^(O); k) CONR^(N2)SO₂R^(C), CONR^(N3)—SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1) or CON(R^(N2))R^(N1); wherein said R^(N1), R^(C) and/or R^(O) are optionally substituted with R¹⁶⁰ as defined; R¹⁶⁰ is defined as 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from: 1, 2 or 3 fluorine substituents; and one of each substituent selected from chlorine, bromine, iodine, CN, nitro, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, OCF₃, SCF₃, CF₃, COOR¹⁶¹, SO₃H, SR¹⁶¹, SO₂R¹⁶³, OR¹⁶¹, N(R¹⁶²)₂, SO₂N(R¹⁶²)₂, SO₂NR¹⁶²COR¹⁶², NR¹⁶²SO₂R¹⁶³, —NR¹⁶¹—CO—COOR¹⁶¹, —NR¹⁶¹—CO—CO(NR¹⁶²)₂, —CONR¹⁶¹SO₂R^(C), CONR¹⁶¹—SO₂N(R¹⁶²)₂ or —SO₂—NR¹⁶¹—COR^(C), NR¹⁶²COR¹⁶² or CON(R¹⁶²)₂, wherein R¹⁶¹, R¹⁶³ and each R¹⁶² is independently (C₁₋₄)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; and R¹⁶¹ and each R¹⁶² may each independently also be H; R^(O), R^(C) are independently defined as (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, aryl, Het, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-aryl, or (C₁₋₄)alkyl-Het; or R^(O) is also optionally defined as H, R^(N1) is H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, aryl, Het, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-aryl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-Het; and R^(N2), R^(N3), R^(N4) are independently H, CH₃, (C₂₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl; all of which being optionally substituted with halogen, carboxy or (C₁₋₆)alkoxycarbonyl; and/or wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₁₋₆)alkoxy, amino, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl and/or —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂; wherein Het is defined as a 5- or 6-membered heterocycle having 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from O and S; or a salt thereof.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein - - - represents either a single or a double bond; B is —N— and A is CR¹ or ═N—; or B is ═C— and A is O, S or NR¹; R¹ is selected from the group consisting of: H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally substituted with: halogen, OR¹¹, SR¹¹ or N(R¹²)₂, wherein R¹¹ and each R¹² is independently H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₆)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₆)alkyl-aryl or (C₁₋₆)alkyl-Het, said aryl or Het optionally substituted with R¹⁶⁰; the group —C(═Y¹)—Z is covalently linked to either M² or M³, M¹ is CR^(4a), one of M² and M³ is CR⁵, M⁴ is CR^(4b), and in addition one or two of the groups selected from M¹, M², M³ and M⁴ may also be N, with the proviso that the group M² or M³ to which —C(═Y¹)—Z is linked is an C-atom, Y¹ is O or S; Z is defined as NR^(N2)—SO₂—R^(C), wherein R^(C) is optionally substituted with R⁶⁰; R² is selected from: halogen or R²¹, wherein R²¹ is aryl or Het, said R²¹ is optionally substituted with R¹⁵⁰; R³ is selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₅₋₇)cycloalkenyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₅₋₇)cycloalkenyl, (C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkyl, (C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkenyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkenyl, HCy or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-HCy, wherein HCy is a saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic group with 1 to 2 heteroatoms selected from O and S; said alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, bicycloalkyl, bicycloalkenyl, HCy and alkyl-HCy being optionally substituted with from 1 to 4 substituents selected from: a) halogen; b) (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally substituted with: OR³¹ or SR³¹ wherein R³¹ is H, (C₁₋₆alkyl), (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; or N(R³²)₂ wherein each R³² is independently H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; c) OR³³ or SR³³ wherein R³³ is H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; d) N(R³⁵)₂ wherein each R³⁵ is independently H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; R^(4a), R^(4b), R⁵ each are independently H or defined as R¹⁵⁰; R⁶⁰ is defined as 1 to 4 substituents independently selected from: 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen; one of each substituent selected from: OPO₃H, NO₂, cyano, azido, C(═NH)NH₂, C(═NH)NH(C₁₋₆)alkyl or C(═NH)NHCO(C₁₋₆)alkyl, SO₃H; and 1 to 3 substituents selected from: a) (C₁₋₆) alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, C₃₋₇ spirocycloalkyl optionally containing 1 or 2 heteroatom selected from O and S; (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, (C₂₋₈)alkynyl, (C₁₋₆)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, all of which optionally being substituted with R¹⁵⁰; b) OR^(O); c) OC(O)R^(O); d) SR^(O), SO₂R^(C), SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1), SO₂N(R^(N2))C(O)R^(C) or CONR^(N2)SO₂R^(C); e) N(R^(N2))R^(N1), N(R^(N2))COOR^(C) or N(R^(N2))SO₂R^(C); f) N(R^(N2))COR^(C); g) N(R^(N3))CON(R^(N2))R^(N1); h) N(R^(N3))COCOR^(C), N(R^(N3))COCOOR^(O) or N(R^(N3))COCON(R^(N2))R^(N1); i) COR^(O); j) COOR^(O); k) CON(R^(N2))R^(N1); l) aryl, Het, (C₁₋₄alkyl)aryl or (C₁₋₄alkyl)Het, all of which optionally being substituted with R¹⁵⁰; wherein said R^(N1), R^(C) and/or R^(O) are optionally substituted with R¹⁵⁰ as defined, R¹⁵⁰ is defined as 1 to 4 substituents independently selected from: 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen; one of each substituent selected from: OPO₃H, NO₂, cyano, azido, C(═NH)NH₂, C(═NH)NH(C₁₋₆)alkyl or C(═NH)NHCO(C₁₋₆)alkyl; and 1 to 3 substituents selected from: a) (C₁₋₆) alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, C₃₋₇ spirocycloalkyl optionally containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, (C₂₋₈)alkynyl, (C₁₋₃) alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, all of which optionally substituted with R¹⁶⁰; b) OR^(O); c) OC(O)R^(O); d) SR^(O), SO₂R^(C), SO₂N(R^(N2))R^(N1) or SO₂N(R^(N2))C(O)R^(C); e) N(R^(N2))R^(N1), N(R^(N2))COOR^(C) or N(R^(N2))SO₂R^(C); f) N(R^(N2))COR^(C); g) N(R^(N3))CON(R^(N2))R^(N1); h) N(R^(N3))COCOR^(C), N(R^(N3))COCOOR^(O) or N(R^(N3))COCON(R^(N2))R^(N1); wherein R^(N1) is as defined or OH, OAlkyl; i) COR^(O); j) COOR^(O); k) CON(R^(N2))R^(N1); wherein said R^(N1), R^(C) and/or R^(O) are optionally substituted with R¹⁶⁰ as defined; R¹⁶⁰ is defined as 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from: 1, 2 or 3 fluorine substituents; and one of each substituent selected from tetrazole, chlorine, bromine, iodine, CN, nitro, C₁₋₄alkyl, CF₃, COOR¹⁶¹, SO₃H, SR¹⁶¹, SO₂R¹⁶³, OR¹⁶¹, N(R¹⁶²)₂, SO₂N(R¹⁶²)₂, SO₂NR¹⁶²COR¹⁶², NR¹⁶²SO₂R¹⁶³, NR¹⁶²COR¹⁶² or CON(R¹⁶²)₂, wherein R¹⁶¹, R¹⁶³ and each R¹⁶² is independently (C₁₋₄)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; and R¹⁶¹ and each R¹⁶² may each independently also be H; R^(O), R^(C) are independently defined as (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, aryl, Het, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-aryl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-Het; R^(N1) is H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, aryl, Het, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-aryl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-Het; or R^(N2), R^(N3), R^(N4) are independently H, CH₃, (C₂₋₆alkyl), (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl; all of which being optionally substituted with halogen, carboxy or C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl; and/or wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, amino, —NH(C₁₋₄-alkyl) and/or —N(C₁₋₄-alkyl)₂; wherein Het is defined as a 5- or 6-membered heterocycle having 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from O and S; or a salt thereof.
 3. The compound according to claim 1 selected from formulas I.1 and I.2

wherein R¹, R², R³, Y¹, Z, M¹, M², M³ and M⁴ are defined as in claim
 1. 4. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of: H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl.
 5. The compound according to claim 4, wherein R¹ is H, CH₃, ethyl, or isobutyl.
 6. The compound according to claim 5, wherein R¹ is H or CH₃.
 7. The compound according to claim 6, wherein R¹ is CH₃.
 8. The compound according to claim 1, wherein Y¹ is O.
 9. The compound according to claim 1, wherein Z is NR^(N3)—SO₂—N(R^(N2))R^(N1), wherein R^(N1) is optionally substituted with R⁶⁰, and wherein R^(N3), R^(N2), R^(N1) and R⁶⁰ are defined in claim
 1. 10. The compound according to claim 1, wherein Z is NR^(N2)—SO₂—R^(C), wherein R^(C) is optionally substituted with R⁶⁰, and wherein Het, R^(N2), R^(C) and R⁶⁰ are defined as in claim
 1. 11. The compound according to claim 10, wherein Z is NH—SO₂—R^(C), wherein R^(C) is selected from the group consisting of (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, Het, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-phenyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-naphthyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-Het, wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl-cycloalkyl, alkenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, Het, alkyl-phenyl, alkyl-naphthyl, or alkyl-Het, are all optionally substituted with 1 to 4 substituents selected from R⁶⁰, wherein R⁶⁰ and Het are defined as in claim
 10. 12. The compound according to claim 11, wherein Z is NH—SO₂—R^(C), wherein R^(C) is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, phenyl, naphthyl, benzyl, thiophene and furan, all of which are optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from R⁶⁰, wherein R⁶⁰ is defined as in claim
 11. 13. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R² is R²¹, wherein R²¹ is phenyl or Het selected from the group of formulas

and wherein said R²¹ is unsubstituted or substituted with R¹⁵⁰, being defined as in claim
 1. 14. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R² is R²¹, wherein R²¹ is defined as in claim 1, and wherein R²¹ is optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from: 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen; one of each substituent selected from: NO₂, cyano, azido; and 1 to 2 substituents selected from: a) (C₁₋₄)alkyl or (C₁₋₄)alkoxy, both optionally substituted with OH, O(C₁₋₄)alkyl, SO₂(C₁₋₄)alkyl), 1 to 3 halogen atoms, amino, NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl) or N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂; b) NR¹¹¹R¹¹² wherein both R¹¹¹ and R¹¹² are independently H, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, or R¹¹² is (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl; each of said alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylcycloalkyl, phenyl and benzyl, being optionally substituted with halogen or: OR^(2h) or N(R^(2h))₂, wherein each R^(2h) is independently H or (C₁₋₄)alkyl; c) NHCOR¹¹⁷ wherein R¹¹⁷ is (C₁₋₄)alkyl, O(C₁₋₄)alkyl or O(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl; and e) CONH₂, CONH(C₁₋₄)alkyl), CON((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂.
 15. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R³ is selected from (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₅₋₇)cycloalkenyl, (C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkyl, (C₆₋₁₀)bicycloalkenyl, or Het, wherein said groups are unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxy, (C₁₋₄)alkyl and/or O-(C₁₋₄)alkyl, wherein the alkyl groups may be fluorinated.
 16. The compound according to claim 15, wherein R³ is cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl, or a group selected from

wherein all said groups are unsubstituted or substituted by fluorine, (C₁₋₃)alkyl or CF₃.
 17. The compound according to claim 16, wherein R³ is cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.
 18. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R^(4a), R^(4b), R⁵ each are independently H, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃, (C₁₋₄)alkoxy, —O—(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, —O—(C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, —O-aryl, —O—(C₁₋₃)alkyl-aryl, —O—Het, —O—(C₁₋₃)alkyl-Het, NR^(N1)R^(N2), COR^(O), NR^(N2)COR^(C), CONR^(N2)R^(N1), or NR^(N3)CONR^(N1)R^(N2); wherein Het, R^(C), R^(O), R^(N1), R^(N2), R^(N3) and R¹⁶⁰ are as defined in claim 1; and wherein all said alkyl groups, including alkoxy, may be mono-, di- or trisubstituted by fluorine or mono-substituted by chlorine or bromine.
 19. The compound according to claim 18 wherein R^(C), R^(O) and R^(N1) are independently of each other H, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, aryl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-aryl; wherein aryl is defined as phenyl optionally substituted with R¹⁶⁰, wherein R¹⁶⁰ is defined as in claim 18; and wherein all said alkyl groups may be mono-, di- or trisubstituted by fluorine or mono-substituted by chlorine or bromine; and wherein R^(N2) and R^(N3) are independently H or methyl.
 20. The compound according to claim 18 wherein R^(4a), R^(4b), R⁵ each are independently H, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methyl, CF₃, methoxy, carboxy, amino, —NMe₂, —CONH₂, —NHCONH₂, —CO—NHMe, —NHCONHMe, —CO—NMe₂ or —NHCONMe₂.
 21. The compound according to claim 20 wherein R^(4a), R^(4b), R⁵ each are H, methyl or methoxy.
 22. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R^(4a) is H or methyl.
 23. The compound according to claim 1 wherein at least two of the substituents selected from R^(4a), R^(4b), R⁵ are H.
 24. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R⁶⁰ is each defined as 1 to 4 substituents independently selected from: 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen; one of each substituent selected from: NO₂, cyano, azido; and 1 to 3 substituents selected from: a) (C₁₋₄)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₄)alkenyl, (C₂₋₄)alkynyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, all of which optionally being substituted with R¹⁵⁰; b) OR^(O); e) N(R^(N2))R^(N1); f) N(R^(N2))COR^(C); j) COOR^(O); k) CON(R^(N2))R^(N1); l) phenyl, Het, (C₁₋₃alkyl)phenyl or (C₁₋₃alkyl)Het; wherein Het is selected from furan, tetrahydrofuran, thiophene, tetrahydrothiophene and tetrahydropyran, all of which optionally being substituted with R¹⁵⁰; wherein said R^(N1), R^(C) and/or R^(O) are optionally substituted with R¹⁵⁰ as defined, and R¹⁵⁰, R^(N1), R^(N2), R^(C) and R^(O) are defined as in claim
 1. 25. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R¹⁵⁰ is defined as 1 to 4 substituents independently selected from: 1 to 3 fluorine-substituents; one of each substituent selected from: chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, cyano, azido; and 1 to 3 substituents selected from: a) (C₁₋₃)alkyl, CF₃, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₃) alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, all of which optionally substituted with R¹⁶⁰; b) OR^(O); e) N(R^(N2))R^(N1); f) N(R^(N2))COR^(C); j) COOR^(O); k) CON(R^(N2))R^(N1); wherein said R^(N1), R^(C) and/or R^(O) are optionally substituted with R¹⁶⁰ as defined; and R¹⁶⁰, R^(N1), R^(N2), R^(C) and R^(O) are defined as in claim
 1. 26. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R¹⁶⁰ is defined as 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from: 1, 2 or 3 fluorine substituents; and one of each substituent selected from chlorine, bromine, iodine, CN, nitro, methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, COOH, COOCH₃, OH, OCH₃, OCF₃, NH₂, NHCH₃, N(CH₃)₂, SO₂NH₂, SO₂NHCOCH₃, NHCOCH₃ or CONH₂, CONHCH₃ and CON(CH₃)₂.
 27. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R^(O), R^(C) are independently defined as (C₁₋₄)alkyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, Het, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-Het; all of which are optionally substituted as defined; and R^(O) may also be H; R^(N1) is H, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-(C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, Het, (C₁₋₃)alkyl-Het; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl-cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, Het and alkyl-Het are optionally substituted as defined; or R^(N2), R^(N3), R^(N4) are independently H, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl; all of which being optionally substituted with fluorine, carboxy or methoxycarbonyl; and/or wherein said ethyl, n-propyl or i-propyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, methyl, methoxy, amino, —NH(CH₃) and/or —N(CH₃)₂; wherein Het is defined as in claim
 1. 28. A method of inhibiting HCV polymerase activity comprising contacting an HCV polymerase with a compound of the formula I according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 29. A method of inhibiting the RNA dependent RNA polymerase activity of the enzyme NS5B, encoded by HCV, comprising contacting the enzyme NS5B, encoded by HCV, with a compound of the formula I according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 30. A method of inhibiting the replication of the Hepatitis C virus comprising contacting the Hepatitis C virus with a compound of the formula I according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 31. A method of treating HCV infection in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a compound of formula I according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 32. A method of treating HCV infection in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a combination of a compound of formula I according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with another antiviral agent.
 33. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of HCV infection, comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula I according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 34. The composition according to claim 33 further comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more other antiviral agents.
 35. The composition according to claim 34, wherein said antiviral agent is selected from: ribavirin and amantadine.
 36. The composition according to claim 34 wherein the antiviral agent is an other anti-HCV agent.
 37. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 36, wherein the other anti-HCV agent is an immunomodulatory agent.
 38. A composition according to claim 36, wherein the other anti-HCV agent is another inhibitor of HCV polymerase.
 39. The composition according to claim 36, wherein the other anti-HCV agent is an inhibitor of HCV NS3 protease.
 40. The composition according to claim 36, wherein the other anti-HCV agent is an inhibitor of another target in the HCV life cycle.
 41. A composition according to claim 40, wherein said inhibitor of another target in the HCV life cycle is an agent that inhibits a target selected from HCV helicase, HCV NS2/3 protease and HCV IRES.
 42. A compound of the following formula:

wherein A, B, R², R³ and Z are as defined in the following table: Cpd. # A B R² R³ Z 114 —N(CH₃)— ═C—

115 —N(CH₃)— ═C—

118 ═C(CH₃)— —N—

124 —NH— ═C—

125 —NH— ═C—


43. A compound of the following formula:

wherein R², R³, R^(4a), p and Z are as defined in the following table, wherein p designates the C-atom on the benzene ring to which the group C(═O)—Z is bonded: Cpd. # R² R³ R^(4a) p Z 201

—OCH₃ 2

202

—OCH₃ 2

203

—H 3

204

—H 3 